Tail-fastener



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IVILLEVE T. MERRIMAN, OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN.

TAIL-FASTEN ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of 'Letters Patent No. 563,979, dated July 14, 1896.

Application filed December 9, 1895. Serial No. 571,533. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Beit known that LWILLEVE T. MEREIMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Jackson, in the county of Jackson and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tail-Fasteners, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention consists in the peculiar construction of a clamp adapted to secure the ends of the braid or coil without injuring the hair or binding the dock, as more fully hereinafter described.

In the drawings, Figure I is a perspective View of my device as in use. Fig. 2 is a diagram Aelevation showing the tail coiled ready to be secured. Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevation similar to Fig. 2, showing the fastener engaged with the coils and ready to be clamped. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section on line :n cc, Fig. 3, with the fastener clamped; and Fig. 5 is a cross-section on line y y, Fig. 4f.

A is the tail, the hair of which is gathered up around the dock, preferably by first dividing it into two or more bunches and then braiding or coiling it, as shown in Figs. l, 2, and 3 of the drawings.

B is my fastener, comprising the members C and D, hinged together at E. The member C is provided with the shank F, extending downwardly and preferably tapering to a point. Opposite this shank the member C is provided with the upwardly and outwardly projecting hook Cr. The member Dis preferably bowed outwardly, as shown at II, and its free end is slotted at I to receive the clamping-bolt. This bolt J is preferably hinged to ears K, formed on the member C, and is provided with a thumb-nut L, adapted to bear upon the outer face of the member D. To preserve the-symmetry, I preferably provide the member D at the hinged end with a lug or button M of corresponding shape to the nut L.

The device being construct-ed as described, to secure it to the tail the latter is first coiled, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and the shank F is slipped under the coils. The ends of the coils N and N are then drawn around the hook G and turned down over the member C, after which the member D is folded over them and securely clamped by the bolt J and nut L. Vhen thus clamped, it is impossible for the fastener to become detached, or the coils to unwind, and as the clamp is applied to the hair alone and not to the dock there is no danger of injury to the animal through impeding the circulation of blood.

IVhat I claim as my invention is- 1. A tail-fastener comprising a clamp, a shank extending from one side thereof adapted to be engaged under the coils of the tail, and a hook around which the ends of the coil may be drawn, substantially as described.

2. A tail-fastener, comprising the member C having extending oppositely therefrom the shank F, and the hook G, the member D hinged to the member C, and a screw adapted to clamp the members together, substantially as described.

3. A tail-fastener comprising the member C having extending therefrom the shank F and hook G, the member D hinged to the member C having the slot I at its free end, the bolt J pivoted to member C and the nut L thereon adapted to engage with the slotted end of the member D, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

VILLEVE T. MERRIMAN.

Witnesses:

A. M. MGGEE, L. O. BEEBEE. 

